The Zen Mama Guide to Finding your Rhythm in Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond covers everything from conception, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, postpartum, birth and beyond. A topic we deep dive into in the book is breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding is considered best for your baby because breast milk is basically nature’s perfect food, offering the ideal nutrition for newborns. It has other health benefits for babies, too, helping to prevent ear infections, viruses, and respiratory tract infections and promote easier digestion. That said, it’s not the only feeding option, as we’ll discuss a little later on.

Breastfeeding can be a beautiful experience between mother and child, but it doesn’t always come easily or naturally. It’s a learning process and a skill you’ll need to develop—something a lot of new mamas don’t realize—so being well informed and supported is key. We highly recommend some reading on the topic during your third trimester. For us, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was a mother’s breast friend (pardon the pun). Familiarize yourself with some of the recommended positions and latching techniques—being equipped with information will empower you.” - An excerpt from The Zen Mama Guide

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In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, we wanted to share with you Sarah and Teresa’s personal musings on their breastfeeding journeys, as well as musings and tips compiled from our beautiful YZM community!

TERESA: Today is day 2728 of breastfeeding straight. I have nursed since Feb 17th 2014 when my first son was born. I nursed him in to toddlerhood through the pregnancy of my 2nd son, embarked on a tandem nursing journey for a year. I then continued nursing my 2nd son through the pregnancy of my daughter, in to my second tandem nursing journey. I’m now still nursing my daughter through this pregnancy and will jump in to my third tandem nursing experience in a matter of weeks. Some days it’s a lot, I’m utterly exhausted and just want my body back, other days I sit in a place of deep gratitude as I cherish and honour this experience with my babes.
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I was privileged enough to have the choice to breastfeed, not everyone is afforded that. For some it comes easier than others. I know many many women who tried to nurse and couldn’t without it affecting their mental health and well-being. Women should be celebrated for however they feed their babies, free from judgement. Since I began my breastfeeding journey I’ve had media outlets write their opinions on how I’ve breastfed in public or nursed into toddlerhood or tandem fed. 2 years ago I copped verbal abuse inches from my face by a man and woman as I nursed my 6 week old daughter on a bench. If that had happened in those first wobbly weeks of being a new mum, trying to establish a latch with my son and finding my feet with parenting, that experience would have profoundly impacted me.⁣
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I hope that other women who are wanting to breastfed and have the opportunity to, can do so without fear of people judging them. It’s incredible to think that these debates and harmful conversations are STILL going on. Let’s hope we are moving towards change in this area. For anyone struggling with any of it, I see you and I can only hope that you have enough people in your orbit offering you unconditional encouragement. If not please use La Leche League International as a resource, they offer up a list of many wonderful support groups online, lactation consultants and a list of local help near you. What a beautiful community, one that I’ve leant on many times throughout the years. LLLI.org ⁣

SARAH: I wondered how long I would breastfeed, if I would be able to what it would feel like, what positions I would use all before I had my first. I wasn’t nervous but I was very curious and excited. I had the privilege of always hearing positive and very lovely breastfeeding stories from my mom. Her only negative was that she wished she had breastfed longer but when I was a baby it was normal to stop at six months when solid foods began.
So when I became pregnant I would daydream about all the little things my mom had told me. How babies sounds when they breastfeed, how cute they are looking up at you, how they hold your hand or try to touch your face. I had also heard stories about how hard it can be from mom friends and how the challenges can be overwhelming and exhausting.

I found out from this place called the pump station that they have a breastfeeding class for moms and dads where you learn so much about the process and how to be a supportive partner. My husband and I took this class and it was amazing. We felt so prepared and when my little one was placed on my belly I felt very ready to try all the things I had learned in that class. I had some latch challenges along with a cracked nipple but we quickly got our bearings and I fed Wyatt for 2 years and my daughter Esme for 3 years and I am now almost 1 year into feeding Winter.

What’s interesting though is that it is different with each child and even though your body has breastfed before your boobs and nipples feel as though it’s all brand new when a new baby comes. I think that was my biggest shock was how engorged I was and how I had nipple pain with my daughter even though I had fed my son for two years. Each baby brings their own style into the mix and your body has to learn how to feed the new little one.

I’m grateful for the positive stories from my mama, for our pump station class, and for all the tips from mamas around me encouraging me but also keeping it real that it’s not always instant and it takes time to get into a flow.

COMMUNITY QUESTION: WHAT ARE YOUR BREASTFEEDING TIPS?

@chezjulier
- Use nursing pillows; avoids tendonitis caused by hands and neck tension
- Wear silk or cotton nursing pads
- Drink a lot and don't forget to eat enough and healthy!
- Try different positions to get a better flor for the milk
- The first few times of breastfeeding, do a breast massage to avoid mastitis

@katedayroosma
There are many challenges, hang in there!

@noopdedoo
Expressing a little bit first helped with my forceful letdown

@tifthordal
Set yourself up a station with water and snacks

@daisiesandsweetpeas
Raw potatoes soaked in water are brilliant for helping with blocked ducts

@chelsbeat
Keep water and snacks near you at all times. No one told me this and I often felt so drained!

@rionaclare
Change the feeding environment / move rooms if babe is fussing

@jennie_may
Dribble breast milk on cracked nipples then let air dry. Really helps heal them

@sammykluske
When your baby is going a bit crazy as if they're looking for your nipple and you're like 'it's right here', they're actually looking for your body. Pull baby's whole body closer and they'll latch!

@emmafidock
Let it all hang out in the early days! Feed somewhere you feel comfortable where you don't have to worry about feeling self conscious in front of anyone

@itisiandreja
SNS system when you don't have enough milk yet, it works

@victoriablythe10
Cut yourself some slack, it's hard but you got this

@katebloomdoula
Be present, give your baby loving eye contact, out your phone down, relax your shoulders

@sarah_v_f
If you need help, ask! There's no one better than a professional

@natasha_danks717
Talk to a lactation consultant ASAP on the ward (if you give birth in a hospital) to ensure correct latch

COMMUNITY QUESTION: What have you loved or found challenging when it comes to breastfeeding?

@mcloop
Biggest challenge was accepting the end of my breastfeeding journey

@andrea_danielle1
All the night feedings, I miss sleep!

@victoriahollister
Feeling like a failure for not being able to produce enough

@sirenchen
I’ve loved the closeness. Plus, baby’s food was always there at the right temperature!

@chezjulier
Loved feeling the bond to my babies during breastfeeding

@katedayroosma
I have loved and hated breastfeeding. It is so hard, exhausting, painful but wonderful and beautiful

@bbsmami
I found it hard when people judged me for nursing my youngest for 3 years

@britt_glenn
My milk took a long time to come in due to cesareans but I didn’t give up!

@canaanacres
Challenging when baby becomes acrobatic while breastfeeding! Ouch!

@heidibearae
Shyness, I feel uncomfortable breastfeeding around other people but if I don’t my supply drops

@noopdedoo
Breastfeeding every 2-3 hours those first few months was very exhausting

@chelsbeat
I stopped producing enough and had to supplement with formula. It was heartbreaking, but it was best

@ahunt13_
It was more mentally challenging than I thought it would be

@mmjager
Nipple damage and discovering true perseverance through pain to continue

@emma.soutar
I just loved the closeness and spending time together, I miss it!

@indijf
The gap between bubs birth and milk coming in was a challenge

@mrsvilcious
I love when I look down to see my 3 month old beaming up at me with the sweetest smile!

@jennie__may
I found it hard to figure out if the latch was right. No help from medical professionals.

@claudia.small
It was challenging because my baby was in ICU, I had to pump the milk but I had little. Formula saved us!

@sammykluske
6 weeks of cracked nipples at the start, like razor blades every feed but then all better

@melanieelainecReflux, baby who screamed for the first 4 months!

@victoriablythe10
Bond that is never broken even after breastfeeding has finished

@vera_g_8
It was hard to be the only one to be able to give her comfort. The dependency on me was hard

@kristinejulia_
My preemie baby born at 35 weeks struggles to latch on. He'll be a month old on Friday

@laurinevray
I loved when my son looked at me with his deep look, it made everything so easy

@juliadewald
My boy was born early and I had nobody who helped me, my journey was only 10 weeks :(

@sarah_v_f
The first 6 weeks were hard but after that I just loved being able to feed my baby